subtle oppression716

[Adam Blatner]

Hi Adam, and Anath;

Thank you Anath for pointing out something so very important.

I understand this aspect of oppression and it is interesting because of the subtlety involved, it is hard to pinpoint whether it is just me or whether it is a group dynamic. Do I dare say anything?is often a question I ask myself. Will I be taken seriously? As a person who lives with a disability, ( I have Cerebral Palsy)I find that I sense it as a person with a disability in the world of various abilities, that in fact people with disabilities are often ignored and/or discounted .   In some ways, people with disabilities are ignored, because to say anything about their disability can be misconstrued as being presumptuous and isolating.There is a subtle aspect that comes with inclusion that promotes a sense of erasure. ( Iam also aware of many cultures experiencing a  sense of erasure I wonder about whether there is a connection)To point out a persons disability can be construed as pitying (something that most people with disability really dislike-myself included)  But to ignore it is also just as bad and finding the midway point is often a balance. Because my disability is relatively invisible to the outside world, I have lived my life trying to act "normal" (if anyone can tell me what that is I would be very happy!)

 Im afraid that I am not very theoretical about this - I am aware that as I have gotten older I am now owning my disability more which often puts me in a very vulnerable place. But being honest about this, and allowing for my history which includes a lot of experiences most able bodied people don't  have, allows for me to also own it. A lot of people don't believe that I am as disabled as I say.  But because I can now speak clearly, walk relatively normally and have a productive life. What people do not see is how incredibly hard it is to write a clear sentence ( my husband acts as a resident ghost writer!) and process the world around me.

I enjoy this listserv. I am not a CP either, although I have trained with many wonderful people.  I am glad that it is ok for those of us who are in the field, but not "official" to be included. I have trouble sometimes with the high level of intellectual banter but often find gems that I save to work with later on.
Thank you!


Jen Kristel, M.A.,CE, CPT
Expressive Arts Therapist
Playback Theatre Director/teacher

"Be the change that you want to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi




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